4 – Anatomy: The trajectory of the deep peroneal nerve

The deep peroneal nerve (DPN) branches off the common peroneal nerve in the proximal part of the lateral compartment

The DPN pierces the anterior intermuscular septum – that separates the lateral and the anterior/extensor compartments of the leg – and descends sandwiched between the interosseous membrane and the extensor muscles of the anterior compartment

The DPN innervates the extensor muscles of the anterior compartment (tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and brevis, extensor hallucis longus & brevis, and fibularis tertius)

The terminal cutaneous branch of the DPN runs deep the extensor retinacula anterior to the ankle together with the doral pedal artery and pierces the deep fascia on the distal part of the dorsum of the foot and supplies the lateral cutaneous nerve of the big toe and the medial cutaneous nerve of the second toe